Friday, December 24, 2010

We at RBB extend our deepest expression of joy to all of our brew drinking friends this holiday season. We wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and look forward to spending another great root beer filled year with you in 2011.

We at RBB are always trying to encourage our fans to establish meaningful and joyful family traditions that include Americas Beloved Beverage. In our Christmas Celebrations this can happen in simple ways like having root beer floats near the fire place, buying your favorite glass bottled brew to serve at the family dinner, or you can follow the lead of our friend at Betty Crocker Wannabe and make IBC Reindeer. Regardless of the approach we hope our family friendly brew finds its way into your holiday traditions.

Friday, December 17, 2010

I was very grateful for the upbeat and comforting welcome I received from Frank "The Moxie Man" Anicetti when I introduced myself as a representative of RBB. He did not seem to like the idea that I was categorizing his beloved soft drink as a root beer. I explained that we view Moxie as the stout of root beers but this didn't seem to change his mind. After all Frank has spent much of his life talking about the unique flavor of this Maine beverage staple. In his perspective there is no other drink like it. I think we agreed to disagree but this did not deter The Moxie Man from telling me all about the New England brew.

I was most interested in him and his store, my questions focused on the Kennebec Fruit Company located in Lisbon Falls, Maine and the Moxie Man himself. To clear the air I should mention that Frank no longer sells fruit, in fact it was long before Frank took over that fruit was sold in this establishment. The reason why people visit Frank these days is simply for the Moxie, the drink, the ice cream, and the merchandise.

Frank's great grandfather, Lomberto, opened the store in 1914. His father, Frank Sr., took over in 1953 and around 1992 The Moxie Man took over operations. In the early beginnings the store sold fruit and other general food and household products. The store eventually had a soda counter added where soda and ice cream was sold. Eventually the store evolved into its current state which most call a Moxie Museum.

Frank identifies the year 1982 as when things really began to change at the Kennebec Fruit Company. He hosted a book signing for a local friend & author, Frank Potter, who wrote the first book specifically about Moxie. "The Moxie Mystique" book signing proved to be a hit so they did it again the very next year. The local Chamber of Commerce sponsored the book signing the third year which brought out more and more Moxie fans. In 1985 the Chamber organized a parade in conjunction with the book signing. For the last 25 years the city has hosted what is now called 'The Moxie Festival" which drew 35,000 spectators this year according to the Moxie Man. The festival includes the parade, a carnival, live performances, arts & crafts vendors, a 5K race, a Moxie chugging contest, and on most occasions Potter can be found still signing his book. The Moxie Festival

A recent controversy was in regards to the purchase of the Moxie brand from Monarch Foods by Cornucopia Beverages, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola New England. The problems arose when they changed the beloved logo found on the cans and bottles. The pharmacist with his pointing finger has been held as an icon of this historic American beverage for decades. Cornucopia decided that Moxie may have some appeal for the younger consumers of the country and removed the logo fearing that kids would not relate to the pharmacist. This has not gone over well. They even removed the "Since 1884" which in all rights is Moxie's greatest claim to fame, being the first nationally distributed soft drink. I am not sure those guys a Coke fully understand what they have in their hands. Frank explained that he has met the CEO of Cornucopia at the last two festivals. Frank has pleaded with him to allow him to work for him to help promote the drink. Like most CEO's, he thought he was taking Moxie in the best direction all ready, boy do they have limited foresight!!!

Frank opens his store/museum every day 9:30am - 4:00pm except on Sunday with hours 12:00pm - 4:00pm. He gladly ships cases of Moxie and Moxie Merchandise worldwide, just give him a call (207) 353-8173

I extend my deepest thanks to Frank and look forward to seeing the reaction of my daughters when they open their "Orange Moxie Socks" on Christmas morning.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

For about $4 you can purchase a 1.4 liter bottle of this very festive brew straight from our Swedish friends at Apotekarnes ("the Druggists or the Pharmacists'"). Apotekarnes was once the Swedish bottling and distributing company licensed with Coca-Cola but in the 1990's they lost the license and went completely independent. They began to market their own flavored selections including "Jul-Must" translated "Christmas Root Beer". Which begs the question if in Sweden they drink root beer like we drink egg nog? So if you would like to celebrate the holidays "Swede Style" grab you a bottle of Apotekarnes "Jul-Must"! -Adam

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

I have been hearing many rumors that this great film will be hitting the theaters this week. We at RBB are very excited!!! From what we do know it was filmed in a tiny town in Utah (Mapleton) by a small film company called Halestorm Entertainment. They filmed much of the movie in the Model A Cafe which is destined to be future site of interest for root beer lovers. We look forward to learning more about the film and more importantly watching the film, what a great gift just in time for the Christmas Season!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Located on I-44 in the sleepy town of Phillipsburg, Missouri Redmons Candy Factory & Service Station serves at a great oasis for thirsty brew loving travelers. Although the candy that is sold in bulk format came as an amazing surprise offering 4 root beer flavors! But the real surprise was that this candy factory has refrigerated cases crammed full of 7 varieties of root beer. Yes 7 individual brands of brew cold and ready to drink! Phillipsburg is east of Springfield and Branson so if you are ever thirsty in the Ozarks stop by and see Redmon, tell him The Rootbeer Brothers sent ya. -Adam

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

I asked myself this question when I came across the most recent A&W 12-packs.. yes all three have something in common. You could Be Dickie V and WIN $10K. This is an impression contest for all those fans of Dick Vitale I believe all you have to do is your best impression "BABY"!!!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

My daughter loves two things besides root beer with certainty , cheese and Sponge Bob. Normally these three aspects of her life have very little to do with one another, until the other day when eating a cheese stick. On her "Cheese Head" cheese stick wrapper she read a Sponge Bob trivia question that had to do with root beer. It was like having all the planets in the universe aligning so she could get a good laugh.... well then again it was a trivia question on a piece of cheese?

The trivia question went like this:

"What did Plankton's family want for helping him get the Krabby Patty secret formula?

A Love of Root Beer

Follow along as the Rootbeer Brothers conduct Root Beer Reviews from around the country and add plenty of commentary concerning the "World of Root Beer" so sit back, grab a frosty mug and pour yourself some of the smoothest blog on the net.

Since Charles Hires first started selling his bottled carbonated root beer back in 1876, life in America has tasted so much smoother. In appreciation of one of America's very own beverages, we intend to explore the tastes, history and culture of root beer. From the frosty mug to the dark long-necked bottle may you enjoy this most tasteful journey of dark brewed indulgence.

Jeff, Adam, Mike, Ray, Marc & Joe are by no means experts in the subject but rather full-fledged enthusiasts who have enjoyed passing bottles of root beer back and forth from all parts of the country. Although not biological siblings, the Rootbeer Brothers are bound by an equal love of this most inviting American soft drink. So pop a top and sip some of the most freshly brewed blog on the web.

Thank you for visiting and feel free to leave any suggestions, comments, or critiques of your own.